Latest from OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine, based on information received as of 19:30hrs, 22 November 2015

This report is for media and the general public.

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”, including the Addendum. Its monitoring was restricted by the sides and security considerations*. In particular, it was prevented from proceeding towards a Ukraine-Russian Federation border crossing point in the area not controlled by the Government in Luhansk region. The SMM observed a number of explosions and gunfire in Donetsk and Luhansk region; on 22 November, it recorded an increase of ceasefire violations around Donetsk airport. The SMM followed up on media reports of explosions damaging power supply pylons and subsequent disruption of power supply across the administrative boundary line between Kherson region and Crimea. Events marking the second anniversary of Maidan events were held across the country.

The SMM recorded ceasefire violations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions. On 21 November, from its position at “Donetsk People’s Republic” (“DPR”)-controlled Donetsk railway station (6km north-west of Donetsk), the SMM heard 18 explosions and several bursts of small-arms fire mainly at locations 3-6km west-south-west and west-north-west[1]. In two separate locations, in government-controlled Novhorodske and Fedorivka (35 and 85km north of Donetsk), the SMM recorded several ceasefire violations.

On the same day, in Luhansk region, the SMM heard several undetermined explosions. For instance, whilst in government-controlled parts of Zolote (60km north-west of Luhansk), the SMM heard three explosions 15km south-west of its position. It also recorded seven explosions in “Lugansk People’s Republic” (“LPR”)-controlled Kalynove (58km west of Luhansk).

On 22 November, positioned at Donetsk railway station, the SMM heard a total of 57 explosions (including mortar rounds) and multiple burst of small-arms, heavy-machine-gun and automatic-grenade-launcher fire mainly at locations 3-5km west-south-west, west and west-north-west of its position. The SMM also recorded several ceasefire violations – including outgoing and incoming explosions caused by 82mm and 120mm mortar – in areas north and west of Donetsk city, including government-controlled Kamianka, Avdiivka and Novobakhmutivka (12, 15 and 27km north of Donetsk), as well as government-controlled Marinka (23km south-west of Donetsk), “DPR”-controlled Staromykhailivka (16km west of Donetsk) and government-controlled Krasnohorivka (21km west of Donetsk). For example, in Kransnohorivka, the SMM heard three explosions assessed as outgoing mortar fire at 3km east-south-east of its position. A female resident showed the SMM a 12.7mm bullet which she said had been found in her yard.  

On 21 November, the SMM facilitated adherence to the ceasefire to enable repair works on power lines between “DPR”-controlled Horlivka (39km north-east of Donetsk) and nearby government-controlled Artemove (40km north-east of Donetsk). However, due to the deterioration of the security situation in the area with numerous ceasefire violations observed, the company responsible for the maintenance of the power lines (DTEK) cancelled the works for the day and left the area. Positioned in Horlivka, the SMM heard two undetermined explosions and sporadic bursts of small-arms fire 3km south-west of its position.

In relation to the implementation of the Addendum to the Package of measures, the SMM revisited Ukrainian Armed Forces and “LPR” permanent weapons storage sites whose locations corresponded with the withdrawal lines. At these sites, all previously recorded weapons were present.

In other areas beyond the withdrawal lines, the SMM observed the following Addendum-proscribed weapons: on 21 November, 20 main battle tanks (MBT; T64 and T-72) in a training area in “LPR”-controlled Kruhlyk (31km south-west of Luhansk); the same number of MBTs was observed in the training area the next day.

The SMM continued to monitor the withdrawal and movement of heavy weapons. Neither “DPR” nor “LPR” members have yet provided inventories or locations of designated permanent storage sites for these weapons as requested by the SMM on 16 October. The Ukrainian military authorities have also as of yet to provide such information. Nonetheless, the SMM revisited locations beyond the respective withdrawal lines known to the SMM as heavy weapons holding areas, even though these did not comply with the specific criteria set out in the 16 October notification.

At Ukrainian Armed Forces holding areas, the SMM observed in total 43 anti-tank guns (MT-12 Rapira, 100mm) and 12 towed howitzers (265A Msta-B,152mm). At one area, the SMM was denied access*.

The SMM also revisited “DPR” holding areas that complied with the criteria outlined in the 16 October notification. At these permanent weapons storage sites, the SMM recorded weapons withdrawn

On 22 November, in violation of the respective withdrawal line,  the SMM observed one self-propelled howitzer (2S1 Gvozdika, 122mm) near “DPR”-controlled Makiivka (12km north-east of Donetsk).

The SMM monitored the presence of other hardware: on 21 November, one anti-tank gun (MT-12 Rapira, 100mm) near government-controlled Oleksiivka (48km north of Luhansk), which is beyond the withdrawal lines.

On 21 November, the SMM followed up on media reports of the death of a civilian while queuing at the checkpoint in government-controlled Zaitseve (50km of north of Donetsk) on 19 November. In government-controlled Artemivsk (67km north of Donetsk), city ambulance service personnel told the SMM that ambulance personnel had found the person already dead at the site. The director of the city morgue informed the SMM that the cause of death had been a heart attack. The commander at the checkpoint in Zaitseve also confirmed the death of the civilian to the SMM, adding that the incident had occurred 500-700m from the checkpoint towards Artemivsk. He said the intended capacity of the checkpoint was 2500-3000 people in a day, however currently 6000-7000 people were crossing daily.

On 22 November, in government-controlled Novotoshkivske (52km west of Luhansk), the SMM monitored the construction works of a future logistic centre. The SMM observed that the offices on the second floor had been renovated and were almost ready to be operational. An employee of the centre (woman, 40 years old) said that sewage, water, electricity and heating had not been connected yet to the building.

The SMM visited a number of crossing points along the Ukraine-Russian Federation border. On 21 November, in “DPR”-controlled Uspenka (73km south-east of Donetsk), the SMM observed 16 trucks (three with Russian Federation licence number plates), 90 civilian cars and three buses waiting to cross to the Russian Federation. The SMM spoke with passengers who stated they were crossing into the Russian Federation to purchase food and fuel, as prices there were significantly lower. The next day, the SMM also visited border crossing points in “DPR”-controlled Ulianivske, Uspenka and Marynivka (61km south-east, 73km south-east and 78km east of Donetsk). Meanwhile, on 21 November, at a checkpoint near “LPR”-controlled Uralo-kavkaz (45km south-east of Luhansk), an “LPR” member prevented the SMM from proceeding towards the border areas of “LPR”-controlled Izvaryne (54km south-east of Luhansk)*.

The SMM followed up on media reports of explosions damaging power supply pylons and subsequent disruption of power supply across the administrative boundary line (ABL) between Kherson region and Crimea (see SMM Daily Report 21 November). On 21 November, in Chonhar (161km south-east of Kherson), the SMM saw a toppled pylon and a tent of “Crimea blockade” activists (represented by Crimean Tatars and Right Sector) set up some 100m from the pylon. Six-seven “Crimea blockade” activists present told the SMM that they were there to prevent attempts to repair the transmission line unless their demands were met. On 22 November, the SMM revisited Chaplynka (70km south-east of Kherson) and saw one of the damaged pylons that had been standing during the previous observation was now lying on the ground. It also noted 30 “Crimea blockade” activists and multiple media representatives present. The SMM did not observe any police presence at the scene with the exception of a van marked as explosive ordnance unit parked on the main road some 500m from the spot.

On 21 November, the SMM observed events marking the second anniversary of Maidan (the Day of Dignity and Freedom) in Kharkiv (300 people attended), Odessa (150 and 400 people attended in two separate locations, respectively), Chernivtsi (150 people attended) and Lviv (150 and 250 people attended in two separate locations, respectively). These events passed off peacefully and were overseen by law enforcement.

At early afternoon, at a shrine of the Nebesna Sotnia (Heavenly Hundred) near the Maidan Memorial in Kyiv, the SMM saw that the President and dignitaries were laying flowers in memory of Maidan victims; there were heavy security barricades staffed by 100 National Guard officers. It also observed 50-80 people (men and women middle-aged) gathering 50m away from the shrine behind the cordon and expressing their discontent. Later in the afternoon, on Independence Square (the Maidan) in Kyiv, the SMM observed the concert dedicated to the anniversary where 200 people (mixed age groups and gender) was interrupted by several protesters, who took a microphone and claimed that the day should not be celebrated as perpetrators of the Maidan killings have not yet been prosecuted. There were 100 National Guard officers on the scene. The concert was subsequently cancelled. In late evening, some 100 protesters joined the protest at the Presidential Administration, where 40 Crimean Tatars (mostly men mixed age) protested against the Government’s response to the events on the ABL blockade. Several hours later, the SMM observed all of them peacefully dispersed.

On the following day, on Independence Square (the Maidan) in Kyiv, the SMM monitored a public gathering (“viche”) of 500 people (men and women of mixed age groups including children) organized by the “OUN volunteer battalion”. The protesters called for the release of the member of Svoboda Party and “OUN battalion”, Serhiy Boyko who had been reportedly detained on the previous day for alleged participation in the clashes in front of the Parliament on 31 August 2015 (see SMM Spot Report 31 August). Subsequently, the SMM saw that some protesters moved to Pecherskyi district court, where the detained Svoboda Party member was supposed to be. In the courtyard, the SMM observed that 300 people with six Svoboda Party flags – were demanding the release of Mr. Boyko and 350 law enforcement personnel in riot gear prevented them from entering the court. Following announcement that Mr. Boyko had been released, the participants began to disperse.

The SMM continued to monitor the situation in Ivano-Frankivsk and Dnepropetrovsk.

*Restrictions to SMM’s freedom of movement or other impediments to the fulfilment of its mandate

The SMM is restrained in fulfilling its monitoring functions by restrictions imposed by the parties and security considerations, including mine threats, damaged infrastructure, and the unpredictability of the situation in Donbas. “LPR” members continue to prevent the SMM from monitoring many areas close to the border with the Russian Federation in parts of Luhansk region not controlled by the Government.

Denial of access:

• On 21 November, at a checkpoint near “LPR”-controlled Uralo-kavkaz (45km south-east of Luhansk), an “LPR” member denied the SMM to proceed, citing that he had orders not to allow the SMM to proceed toward “LPR”-controlled Izvaryne (54km south-east of Luhansk), unless the SMM patrol plan was signed and stamped by the “head” of the “LPR's” “people’s militia”.
• On 21 November, a Ukrainian Armed Forces commander denied the SMM access to a heavy weapon holding area, citing he was not authorized to give the SMM permission to inspect the area.
• On 22 November, at a checkpoint in “DPR”-controlled Michurine (56km north-east of Mariupol), armed “DPR” members did not allow the SMM to proceed, stating the road was mined. The SMM could observe passing of civilian traffic on the same road.
• On 22 November, near a checkpoint in “DPR”-controlled Staromykhailivka (16km west of Donetsk), armed “DPR” members denied the SMM to proceed, citing that the SMM needed to submit a formal request.

* Please see the section at the end of this report entitled “Restrictions to SMM’s freedom of movement or other impediments to the fulfilment of its mandate”.

[1] For a complete breakdown of the ceasefire violations, please see the annexed table.